UNI. BASEBALL STADIUM LIQUOR LICENSES                                                  H.B. 4711:

                                                                              SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL

                                                                                                         IN COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

House Bill 4711 (as passed by the House)

Sponsor:  Representative Matt Hall

House Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Senate Committee:  Regulatory Reform

 

Date Completed:  10-19-21

 


CONTENT

 

The bill would amend the Michigan Liquor Control Code to allow the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) to issue a license to a private entity for the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises of baseball stadiums on the premises of land owned by Eastern Michigan University and Oakland University under certain circumstances.

 

Section 513 of the Code allows the MLCC to issue to the governing board of a college or university a license to sell alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises of a conference center operated by the governing board. Section 513 also allows the MLCC to issue licenses to private entities for the sale of alcoholic liquor for on-premises consumption at facilities that meet certain conditions on the land of specified universities, including Central Michigan University, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, and Northern Michigan University.

 

The bill would amend the Code to allow the MLCC, subject to Section 531, to issue a license to a private entity for the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises of a baseball stadium located on land owned by Eastern Michigan University if the stadium and adjacent outdoor service area were lease or subleased at fair market value during the summer period between the end of the university's spring term and the beginning of its fall term. The MLCC also could issue a license to a private entity for consumption on the premises of a baseball stadium located on land owned by Oakland University if stadium and adjacent outdoor service area fulfilled the same conditions.

 

MCL 463.1513                                                                                                        

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Northwoods League (NWL) is a summer collegiate baseball league with 22 teams, including teams in Traverse City, Battle Creek, and Kalamazoo. The NWL has expressed interest in expanding into eastern Michigan and using preexistent baseball stadiums for its activities—namely those at Eastern Michigan University and Oakland University. According to testimony before the House Committee on Regulatory Reform, alcohol sales are part of the business model for teams in the NWL; however, on-premises sales are not currently allowed at the Eastern Michigan University or Oakland University stadiums.

 

Legislative Analyst:  Christian Schmidt

 


FISCAL IMPACT

 

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

 

                                                                           Fiscal Analyst:  Elizabeth Raczkowski

 

 

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.